Abstract: A system (22) and method for converting to progressive scan interlaced video data (28) that was originally produced on film and converting to interlaced data. The most recent previous field and the second most recent field are stored. The most recent previous field is compared to the current field and the second most recent field to generate two motion signals. The field that generated the smallest motion signal when compared to the most recent previous field is then used to perform field insert for that field. The field insert results in progressive frames of data of the image that was produced originally on film. The system determines whether the film conversion is necessary, or whether the data is used for conventional-format progressive scan conversion.

Abstract: A method for processing video data to produce a progressively scanned signal from an input of conventional interlaced video. The data is received at a processor (1), used to determine a motion signal (26) over time between field of the data. The motion signal is filtered to reduce errors caused by noise-corrupted video sources and then further filtered to spread out the determined motion signal. Edge information (30) is located and combined with the motion signal to produce an integrated progressive-scan signal (36) for display on a video display device, producing images with sharper edges and motion signals which have a lower susceptibility to noise.

Abstract: A cover (14) for an array (12) of foil matrix-mounted (18), spaced photovoltaic members (16) protects the array (12) from the environment and increases its efficiency. Upper portions (31) of the members (16) extend above the free reflective surface (20T) of the foil matrix (18). The cover (14)includes an environment-excluding coating (60) which is emplaced on the array (12) to conform to the upper portions (31). The coating is configured as cusps (68) which overlie the free surface (20T) of the matrix (18) centrally between adjacent members (16). The nadirs (72) of the cusps (68) are closely spaced from the free surface (20T). Accordingly, each member (16) effectively supports a conformal lens (70) which directs thereat much of the otherwise "wasted" light that would fall on the free foil surface (20T) between adjacent members (16) and would not fall on the members (16).

Abstract: Adherent silicon spheres (10) are broken apart into separate spheres by entraining them in a high velocity gas stream (12) which is directed at a surface (20). When the adherent spheres (10) impact on the surface (20) they break apart. The gas (12) and the separated spheres (10) are directed away from the surface (20) along divergent paths and the spheres (10) are collected for use.

Abstract: A roll (110) sorter includes a pair (111) of counter-rotating rollers (112,114) separated by a gap (124). A sorting region (128) is defined by the gap and the facing roller surfaces (130,132). Particles (46) fed into the sorting region float on the rollers and are sorted into two groups, those that pass through the gap and those that cannot pass through the gap. The accuracy of the sorter is increased by associating a metering facility (220) such as a gate (222) with the sorting region. The metering facility limits the number of particles which can simultaneously enter the sorting region. Typically, the particles enter and move along the sorting region one-at-a-time and in single file.

Abstract: A roll sorter (110) includes two counter-rotating, circular cross-section, spaced rollers (112,114) defining a gap (124) therebetween. Particles 46 float on the rollers (112,114) within a sorting region (128) and are sorted by passing through the gap (124) or not so passing and being retained in the sorting region (128). The particles (46) are prevented from hopping or jumping out of the sorting region (128) by a circular cross-section rod 160 floating above the sorting region (128) on the rollers (112,114), so that sorting accuracy and throughput are not degraded.

Abstract: Particles (10) having a selected size are produced by placing oversized articles onto a support (12) having apertures (16) of the selected size. The supported particles (10) are subjected to an etchant (22) until they decrease in size sufficiently to pass through the apertures (16), following which the action of the etchant (22) is terminated and the particles are collected. If commingled particles (10) of the selected and/or larger sizes are placed on the support (12), those of the selected size immediately fall through the apertures.

Abstract: A composite article and process forming a soft metallic layer, underneath a hardface coating, on a metallic substrate, using cloth-like flexible preforms. The softer layer formed underneath the hardfacing should be one having a hardness below 35 HRC, preferably 30 HRC, and should not experience any significant physical changes, e.g., increase in hardness, upon heat treatment.

Abstract: A package (44) for a semiconductor device (10) includes aceramic base (46, 146) with a mounting surface (50, 150) for supporting the device (10) and a light-transmissive cover (42, 142). A refractory seal ring (70) is fused to the base (46, 146) and to conductive paths (22) thereon. The upper surface (72) of the seal ring (70) is rendered optically flat with a selected angular relationship to the mounting surface (50). The upper and lower faces (76 & 78) of the cover (42, 142) are rendered optically flat with a selected angular relationship to each other, so that with an outer portion of the lower face (78) resting on the upper surface (72) of the seal ring (70), the faces (76, 78) have a selected angular relationship with the mounting surface (50, 150). The package (44) is expedient where the device (10) includes DMD's (30) having deflectable, light-reflective beams (32).

Abstract: Solar cells are formed of semi-conductor spheres of P-type interior having an N-type skin are pressed between a pair of aluminum foil members forming the electrical contacts to the P-type and N-type regions. The aluminum foils, which comprise 1.0% silicon by weight, are flexible and electrically insulated from one another. The sphere are patterned in a foil matrix forming a cell Multiple cells can be interconnected to form a module of solar cell elements for converting sun light into electricity.

Abstract: A method is provided of making a thin film solar cell comprising depositing solar cell material on a substrate using an ionized gas stream for transporting and applying solar cell material to the substrate.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump for a first fluid has a housing with an inlet and includes a rotatable impeller which is adjacent to a stationary plate. The inlet communicates with a space defied between the impeller and the plate. An outlet adjacent to the periphery of the impeller also communicates with the space. The space is divided into a plurality of zig-zag pumping passages which extend from the inlet to the periphery of the impeller. Each passage has undulating sidewalls defined by complementary undulations in the facing surfaces of the plate and the impeller. Each passage also has endwalls defined by vanes mounted to the impeller. The vanes generally conform to the undulations in the impeller and are also complementary to the undulations in the plate. An injection port in the plate communicates with the space downstream of the inlet at a point where the lowest absolute pressure within the passages exists. A second fluid may be injected through the port and into the passages.

Abstract: A dispensing package includes a bottle, made of a blow-moldable plastic and having a neck finish, a pouring spout and a closure. An undercut groove in the interior of the neck finish holds a bead on the spout. The spout may have a pour-back design. Threading the closure onto the neck finish engages a top surface of the neck finish just above the groove with a closure-mounted seal. The groove may result from molding the neck finish against a pin which is withdrawn from the neck finish while the plastic is still warm but has enough plastic memory to result in groove definition following the removal. The bead of the spout may be press-fitted into the groove while the plastic is warm so that cooling-caused shrinkage firmly locks the spout in place.

Abstract: A security seal has an elongated flexible strap integral with a housing at one end. The other end of the strap can be moved through a passageway in the housing to form the strap into a closed loop. Facilities in the housing and on one surface of the strap permit movement of the strap out of the passageway and prevent reverse movement of the strap if the strap is properly inserted without a half-twist and into the proper end of the passageway. These facilities are ineffective to prevent reverse movement if the strap is improperly inserted. The seal is improved by forming a groove longitudinally in the passageway. A surface feature on the other surface of the strap is conformally received in the groove when the strap is properly inserted into the passageway without twisting. If the strap is improperly inserted, the passageway interferes with and applies force to the surface feature. This force discolors or deforms the surface feature to provide a visual indication of improper insertion.

Abstract: An improved security seal includes a plastic housing with a chamber open at one end and a plastic rotor which is insertable in the chamber. The housing wall contains bores aligned across the chamber and two annular grooves adjacent the chamber entrance. Tabs are formed adjacent the chamber entrance. The rotor has a bore and two annular ridges near its top. The ridges are relieved complementarily to the tabs. The rotor may be partially inserted in the housing by snapping the lower ridge into the upper groove and locating the tabs in the relieved areas to align all of the bores so that a seal wire may thereafter be inserted through the seal. The ridge-groove and tab-relief cooperation prevent inadvertent relative rotation of the rotor and housing and full insertion of the rotor. With a seal wire inserted, the rotor and housing are relatively rotated to wrap the wire about the rotor. The rotor is then fully inserted into the housing so each ridge snaps into one groove.

Abstract: A surgical saw having a base blade portion, a plurality of staggered teeth and an intermediate blade portion, the thickness of which is less than the thickness of the base blade portion. The thickness of the intermediate blade portion is sufficiently less than the thickness of the base blade portion to permit passage of bone cuttings and other material away from the staggered teeth during operation of the surgical saw.

Abstract: The endless drive belt is produced by winding a pre-formed load-carrying member comprising a cord embedded in a solid but softenable elastic material along and around a surface of an endless compression member belt also comprising a solid but softenable elastic material, thereby forming layer comprising a plurality of turns, and by simultaneously causing said turns to become intimately bonded to said surface. Said bonding is achieved by applying mutual pressure between said turns and said surface during winding and by selectively softening the surface layers of both said load-carrying member and said endless compression member belt which re to come into contact with each other, just prior to coming into contact with each other. The material of said surface layers is allowed to fuse. Said turns of said load-carrying member are further allowed to be partially impressed in said surface of said endless compression member belt.

Abstract: A method of temporarily attaching items to be screen printed to a pallet. The invention includes providing a pallet pad of adjacently adhered sheets on a pallet. Each sheet of the pad has a non-transferable adhesive coating on a substantial portion of its upper surface. The upper coating on each sheet permits the superjacent sheet to be removed without adversely affecting the adhesion of the coating. The upper coat on each sheet, once exposed, is capable of removably retaining textile articles thereon. Providing a bottom most sheet of the pad has a non-transferable adhesive coating over a substantial portion of its lower surface as well, adhering this lower coating of the pad on to the pallet and removably mounting a textile article to the adhesive coating of the upper surface on a topmost sheet of the pallet pad.

Abstract: Crushing or other damage to the hackle of an artificial fishing fly during transport of a fly rod is prevented by a device which includes a base member and a clip engageable by the hook of the fishing fly. A first facility mounts the base member in close proximity to the rod near its handle. A second facility mounts the clip to the base member for selective movement between two positions. In the first position, the clip is retracted and physically proximate to the base member and the rod so that the base member and the clip present a low profile and do not interfere with the line during fly casting. In the second position, the clip protrudes and extends away from the base member and the rod by a distance sufficient to hold the hackle of a fly away from and out of contact with the base member and the rod when the hook engages the clip thereby preventing crushing of the hackle during transport of the rod.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in a golf club wherein the golf club shaft is provided with a generally planar member located between the handle and the golf club head. The planar member is located near the handle hand grip end and has a finger alignment opening therethrough. The longitudinal axis of the shaft passes through the opening such that a golfer when gripping the handle can extend his index finger through the opening in perpendicular alignment with the longitudinal axis of the shaft for pointing in the direction in which a ball is intended to be hit. The shape of the opening can vary, such as triangular, square, circular, or other desired shapes.